Confused by the sheer number of auto insurance options in Boulder? Many other consumers are too. People have so many choices that it can easily become a challenge to compare prices.
Consumers should take time to compare prices on a regular basis since rates trend upward over time. Despite the fact that you may have had the lowest price a few years ago you may be paying too much now. There is a lot of bad information regarding auto insurance online, so I’m going to show you some excellent ideas to reduce your auto insurance bill.
If you currently have a car insurance policy, you stand a good chance to be able to cut costs considerably using these techniques. The purpose of this post is to instruct you on the most effective way to quote insurance and some tips to save money. But Colorado drivers should learn how companies market on the web because it can help you find the best coverage.
Compare the Market for Auto Insurance in Boulder, Colorado
All the larger auto insurance companies quote price estimates on their websites. Getting quotes is pretty easy as you just enter as detailed in the form. When the form is submitted, the system makes automated requests for your driving and credit reports and returns pricing information.
This makes it a lot easier to compare rates but the time it takes to visit a lot of sites and fill out multiple forms is monotonous and tiresome. But it’s very important to do this in order to find better prices.
A quicker way to lower your rates makes use of a single form that gets prices from several companies at one time. This type of form saves time, requires less work, and makes quoting online much more enjoyable and efficient. After your information is entered, it is quoted and you can choose any or none of the price quotes you receive. If the quotes result in lower rates, it’s easy to complete the application and purchase the new policy. The whole process can be completed in a matter of minutes and can result in significant savings.
To compare rates using this form now, click here and submit your coverage information. To compare your current rates, we recommend you input as close as possible to your current policy. This helps ensure you will be getting an apples-to-apples comparison based on similar coverages.
Be sure to get all your discounts
Companies that sell car insurance don’t necessarily list all their discounts very well, so the following is a list of some of the more common and the harder-to-find discounts you could be receiving.
- Discount for Life Insurance – Larger companies have a break if you buy auto and life insurance together.
- E-sign – Some insurance companies give back up to $50 for buying your policy online.
- Anti-lock Brake Discount – Cars that have steering control and anti-lock brakes prevent accidents and will save you 10% or more.
- Federal Government Employee – Being employed by or retired from a federal job may qualify you for a discount with a few auto insurance companies.
- Theft Prevention Discount – Vehicles equipped with anti-theft or alarm systems help deter theft and therefore earn up to a 10% discount.
- Senior Discount – Mature drivers can possibly qualify for better auto insurance rates.
- No Charge for an Accident – Some insurance companies permit an accident before your rates go up as long as you don’t have any claims for a set time period.
- Good Student – A discount for being a good student can be rewarded with saving of up to 25%. The discount lasts up until you turn 25.
- Student in College – Children who are attending college without a vehicle on campus can receive lower rates.
It’s important to understand that most credits do not apply the the whole policy. Most only reduce individual premiums such as comprehensive or collision. Even though it may seem like all those discounts means the company will pay you, auto insurance companies aren’t that generous.
To see a list of insurance companies offering auto insurance discounts in Colorado, follow this link.
Compare online but buy from a local Boulder agent
Some consumers would prefer to talk to a local agent and there is nothing wrong with that. One of the best bonuses of comparing rates online is you may find lower rates but also keep your business local.
For easy comparison, once you complete this form (opens in new window), your coverage information is emailed to agents in your area who will battle for your coverage. You never need to visit any agencies because quoted prices will be sent to your email. How’s that for easy! It’s the lowest rates and a licensed agent to work with.
Selecting an insurance company requires more thought than just a low price. These questions are important to ask:
- How often do they review policy coverages?
- Do clients work directly with the agent or are most inquiries handled by a CSR?
- Do they make recommendations based only on price?
- Who is covered by the car insurance policy?
- Can they give you a list of client referrals?
How to choose the best insurance agency in Boulder
When looking for a reputable insurance agent or broker, there are a couple of types of agencies that differ in how they can insure your vehicles. Insurance agencies in Boulder are classified as either independent (non-captive) or captive.
Captive Insurance Agents
Captive agents have only one company to place business with and some examples include AAA, State Farm, Farmers Insurance and Allstate. They generally cannot provide prices from multiple companies so they are skilled at selling on more than just price. They receive extensive training in insurance sales which helps them sell insurance even at higher premiums. Some people will only buy insurance from these agents partially due to the prominence of the brand and strong financial ratings.
The following are captive insurance agents in Boulder who can help you get comparison quotes.
- Shelter Insurance – 2006 Broadway St # 202 – Boulder, CO 80302 – (303) 444-7505
- Liberty Mutual Insurance – 2700 Canyon Blvd # 210 – Boulder, CO 80302 – (303) 938-9221
- State Farm Insurance – 1722 14th St # 110 – Boulder, CO 80302 – (303) 449-7900
- Farmers Insurance Group – 1750 30th St # 33 – Boulder, CO 80301 – (303) 443-0177
- Allstate Insurance – 4800 Baseline Rd # D200 – Boulder, CO 80303 – (303) 494-8725
- American Family Insurance – 4800 Baseline Rd # D203 – Boulder, CO 80303 – (303) 444-8238
Independent Agents (or Brokers)
Independent insurance agents are not locked into one company so they have the ability to put coverage with any number of different companies and potentially find a lower price. To move your coverage to a new company, the business is moved internally and you won’t have to switch agencies. When shopping rates, it’s recommended you contact several independent insurance agents for maximum quote selection. Most have the option of insuring with smaller regional carriers which can save you money.
Listed below is a short list of independent insurance agencies in Boulder who can help you get comparison quotes.
- Rayback Agency – 2885 Aurora Ave # 11 – Boulder, CO 80303 – (303) 447-9006
- Heibert Agency – 4564 Arapahoe Ave – Boulder, CO 80303 – (303) 443-5252
- Tom Erickson Insurance Inc – 2900 Valmont Rd # A – Boulder, CO 80301 – (303) 447-2048
- Clark Agency – 1919 8th St – Boulder, CO 80302 – (303) 443-1288
- Kelly Eyen Insurance – 4770 Baseline Rd # 120 – Boulder, CO 80303 – (303) 444-5646
For a full directory of licensed insurance agents in Boulder, please click here.
Once you have received good answers for all questions you ask and a good coverage price, you may have just found an insurance agent that is a good match to properly insure your vehicles.
Additional detailed information is available at the Colorado DORA Division of Insurance website. Colorado consumers can find out industry alerts, read consumer alerts, and view agent and company licensing information.
The following information may also be useful.
- Learn How to Quote Boulder City, NV Car Insurance Like a Pro
- Lowest Auto Insurance Exclusively for Boulder City, NV Residents
What auto insurance coverages do you need?
Learning about specific coverages of your policy helps when choosing the best coverages at the best deductibles and correct limits. The terms used in a policy can be ambiguous and nobody wants to actually read their policy.
Coverage for collisions
This pays for damage to your vehicle from colliding with another car or object. You have to pay a deductible and then insurance will cover the remainder.
Collision coverage pays for things such as crashing into a building, colliding with a tree and crashing into a ditch. This coverage can be expensive, so analyze the benefit of dropping coverage from lower value vehicles. Another option is to raise the deductible in order to get cheaper collision rates.
Coverage for medical expenses
Coverage for medical payments and/or PIP kick in for short-term medical expenses like X-ray expenses, doctor visits and pain medications. They are often utilized in addition to your health insurance program or if you do not have health coverage. They cover you and your occupants as well as getting struck while a pedestrian. PIP coverage is not available in all states and gives slightly broader coverage than med pay
Coverage for uninsured or underinsured drivers
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage protects you and your vehicle’s occupants from other motorists when they are uninsured or don’t have enough coverage. It can pay for injuries sustained by your vehicle’s occupants and damage to your vehicle.
Because many people only carry the minimum required liability limits (which is 25/50/15), their limits can quickly be used up. For this reason, having high UM/UIM coverages is a good idea.
Comprehensive auto insurance
Comprehensive insurance covers damage that is not covered by collision coverage. You need to pay your deductible first then the remaining damage will be covered by your comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive can pay for claims such as hail damage, theft and hitting a bird. The highest amount you can receive from a comprehensive claim is the ACV or actual cash value, so if the vehicle is not worth much it’s probably time to drop comprehensive insurance.
Coverage for liability
This coverage can cover damages or injuries you inflict on other’s property or people. This coverage protects you against claims from other people, and does not provide coverage for damage sustained by your vehicle in an accident.
Liability coverage has three limits: per person bodily injury, per accident bodily injury, and a property damage limit. You might see values of 25/50/25 which stand for a $25,000 limit per person for injuries, a per accident bodily injury limit of $50,000, and $25,000 of coverage for damaged propery.
Liability insurance covers things such as bail bonds, medical services and legal defense fees. How much liability should you purchase? That is up to you, but buy higher limits if possible. Colorado state law requires minimum liability limits of 25,000/50,000/15,000 but it’s recommended drivers buy better liability coverage.
Summing up your auto insurance search
Consumers switch companies for a number of reasons such as an unsatisfactory settlement offer, denial of a claim, extreme rates for teen drivers or delays in paying claims. No matter why you want to switch, finding a new auto insurance company can be less work than you think.
Low-cost auto insurance can be purchased on the web and with local Boulder insurance agents, and you need to price shop both so you have a total pricing picture. Some insurance providers do not offer the ability to get a quote online and most of the time these small, regional companies sell through independent agents.
While you’re price shopping online, you should never reduce needed coverages to save money. There have been many cases where an accident victim reduced liability coverage limits only to find out that they should have had better coverage. Your goal should be to find the BEST coverage at a price you can afford.